Wrestler Bajrang questions selection criteria for Khel Ratna
New Delhi, Sep 20 : Dejected over the denial of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, seasoned wrester Bajrang Punia on Thursday said he was "hurt" and questioned the selection criteria for the country's highest sporting honour.
Despite winning gold medals in the Asian Games at Jakarta and the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, his name did not feature in the final list of nominees.
His list of laurels isn't limited to one season, as he had won a World Championship bronze medal in 2013 and silver in 2014.
"I'm hurt for not being recognised for my talent and performances, I don't know what was the criteria of selection for this award," he told reporters here.
"I tried calling Rathore sir's number (Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore), but he didn't even reply back. I'm going to meet him in person to enquire about the matter."
"Now my hopes are pinned on Rathore as I believe I am one of the eligible candidates for the award."
"Anyone can see my record. I have performed consistently for my country. I don't know what else is there to be done.
"And if I don't get justice from the sports minister, I will be left with no other option than taking the legal route," he cautioned.
The 2015 Arjuna award winner pointed out his outstanding performances in recent years and asked the sports ministry to keep an athlete's morale high rather than treating him badly.
"The World Championship is scheduled to begin next month, and I'm preparing to make my country and people, proud, yet again.
"But such treatment of athletes by the ministry shows their ignorance towards rewarding top-notch athletes, and keeping their morale high for the future," he said.
Talking about the other nominees, who include Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the Haryana grappler said: "I'm not against any other athlete winning the award."
"On the contrary, I'd like to congratulate them for their achievements. But the selection process must be made transparent," he remarked.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
